DA's Office: Case Against Chargers' Merriman Closed

5:38 AM, Sep 11, 2009

A domestic violence case against San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman has been closed, 10News reported.

According to a release from the San Diego County District Attorney's Office, District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis said the case was closed due to "insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that any crime was committed."

Merriman was arrested September 6 after an altercation with reality TV star Tila Tequila at his Poway home.

Tequila accused Merriman of choking and throwing her to the ground while she was trying to leave the house. Tequila signed a citizen's arrest warrant accusing Merriman of battery and false imprisonment. Both are felonies.

The football player said he was protecting the woman because she was intoxicated and wanted to drive home.

Tequila, 27, denied Merriman's claims that she was drunk.

The celebrity Web site tmz.com posted photographs of Merriman and Nguyen at the Stingaree nightclub in the Gaslamp District around 1 a.m., showing her giving the football player lap dances.

Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith issued the following statement: "It's really good news for Shawne. We're happy things worked out for him on the legal front."

TMZ obtained the following statement from Tequila's representative:

"Tila Tequila is the victim of a violent crime. The San Diego District attorney's decision not to press charges against Shawne Merriman for the battering of Tila Tequila demonstrates an unconscionable negligence in the discharging of their public duties. We strongly feel that justice has not been served in this matter.

Obviously, The San Diego Charger's NFL franchise brings millions of dollars in revenue to the city of San Diego, and it seems clear that other interests are being served by the DA's office than the upholding of the law. A young woman was violently beaten and choked, and the physical evidence is both overwhelming and disturbing. Tila's account of the events has remained consistent from the beginning, while Merriman's story has changed repeatedly.

Just because the DA has made this reckless decision doesn't mean that justice will not be served in this case. No one is above the law. Tila Tequila will immediately begin pursuing civil charges against Mr. Merriman and she will have her day in court."